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Legal aid likely for 7/7 inquests
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Relatives of victims of the July 7 terrorist attacks look set to receive legal aid for representation at the inquests into their loved ones' deaths.
The Ministry of Justice has granted a funding application from one of the families of the 52 innocent people killed in the 2005 London bombings.
A lawyer for some of the victims' relatives said he believed the decision meant that all the families would receive financial assistance to pay for legal representation at the inquests, which are planned to start this autumn. Clifford Tibber, from Oury Clark Solicitors, said: "I would expect all the families to be funded."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "As of February 24, the Ministry of Justice has received one exceptional funding application, relating to the 7/7 inquests, from the LSC (Legal Services Commission). Ministers have granted funding in this case."
Mr Tibber said he expected applications for legal aid for the bereaved families to be granted and backdated to February 24, but he raised concerns about the bureaucracy involved in the process.
"The families are still required to submit means assessment forms, even though our understanding is that the financial eligibility criteria will be waived, which is a little bit insensitive," he said.
The relatives of the victims will learn more later this week about what form the inquests will take. The coroner, Lady Justice Hallett, will hold a short hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London to update them on progress.
Mr Tibber, who is representing four bereaved families and 15 survivors of the bombings, said the coroner would first have to decide whether the inquests should be resumed at all.
Other issues likely to be discussed at the hearings include the scope of the inquests, and whether the inquests of the four suicide bombers should be held separately from those of the victims.
Another question to be resolved is whether the survivors of the attacks should be counted as "interested persons" entitled to be represented at the hearings. If the inquests go ahead, they are expected to start in October and last for three months.
